At the end of August, parishioners reviewed preliminary plans for the Parish Center. The following list, organized by specific topic, summarizes all questions and provides responses from the Parish Center Committee and MTFA Architecture. Please remember this is the first of two design review opportunities, the next scheduled for early November.
DESIGN REVIEW
- Q: Will there be a ramp to the stage for equipment & handicapped access?
- A: Yes, this can be incorporated into the plan.
Q: Can the wall between the Upper Room and church be knocked out, allowing the Resurrection window to be seen from inside the church?
A: Yes, plans call for opening up that wall and replacing it with soundproof glass and speakers to provide space for overflow seating at Mass.
Q: Is it possible to increase the number of stalls in the women's restroom?
A: The bathroom fixture count meets code and can be slightly increased. An additional women's restroom can be added.
Q: Can a freight elevator be added?
A: The passenger elevator that is planned should be sufficient for both people and equipment. Having a second elevator as a backup would take up valuable program space and would not be cost-efficient.
Q: Can the youth rooms be enlarged?
A: MTFA will plan to meet with youth groups to further refine their needs.
Q: Where will the 9am choir be able to practice and will an organ be available?
A: The preliminary plan calls for the 9am choir to practice in the Upper Room, with the room being available for overflow seating after practice. Careful coordination of schedules is critical.
Q: When can we see more definition to the façade and entrances?
A: At the second design review in November.
Q: Could some of the earlier design elements along Kirkwood be reinstated (i.e., tower and larger windows)?
A: MTFA is refining the elevations and will include them in the next presentation.
Q: What kind of impact might increased construction costs have on the structure?
A: The structural integrity of the center will not be compromised under any circumstances.
Church Interior
- Q: Why is renovation of the bride's room not shown? How can RCIA needs during the Easter vigil be met for changing clothes, hair dryers, etc.?
- A: Plans are being developed to relocate the bride's room to a new location with the parish center building (in conjunction with RCIA and other such special needs).
Q: Many comments and questions centered around possible upgrades to the church. What is the status of church renovations?
A: At the present time, no changes to the interior of the church (aside from the Upper Room) are included in the budget (initial estimates indicate such renovations would cost about 1.5 million dollars). Even if additional funds could be raised for proposed interior renovations, plans for the parish center require that building to be completed first.
Rectory
- Q: Will there be soundproof rooms for counseling?
- A: In this phase, no physical changes are planned for the rectory. It is anticipated, however, that some uses presently in the rectory will be moved to the parish center.
Parking
- Q: What are the plans for parking that are mentioned in the bulletin each Sunday?
- A: Parish center plans do not encroach on the existing parking lot. Parish staff has worked out agreements with surrounding business for additional off-site parking and Marvin Mayorga, St. Charles Facilities Manager, is currently working with volunteers to direct traffic after weekend Masses. MTFA will be working with their engineer to study the safety and efficiency of the parking lot. After the center is built, the lot will most likely be restriped with angled parking spaces.
Q: Will the shed and trailer in the eastern corner of the parking lot be removed?
A: The shed can be removed, assuming other storage space is available. The trailer is used for a federal reading program at the school and could be removed if/when other space is made available.
Q: What are the prospects for working with County officials to develop a public parking garage on Fairfax Drive?
A: Our plans do not preclude any potential future parking lot off-site and St. Charles and MTFA would be willing to work with the County on such an initiative. At the current time, however, County long-range plans call for a park on the site of Fairfax Drive.
Landscaping
- Q: What happens to the current landscaping around the church? Will there be any "green space" left?
- A: At this interim design stage, landscaping has not been fully developed. For the November design review, landscaping plans will be available.
Environmental
- Q: How will the proposed new Chesapeake Bay requirements of the County impact this project?
- A: MTFA will consult with County staff on proposed changes and determine potential impacts.
Lighting
- Q: Will there be skylights in the narthex, parish center and school to bring in more light?
- A: Plans are being developed to include skylights, but might be impacted by the need for firewalls. Plenty of natural daylight will be incorporated into the building.
Security
- Q: How will all of this new space be kept secure?
- A: Entrances are being moved, but plans do not call for additional entrances into the site.
The Parish Center Committee is planning for security issues as well as scheduling of rooms and other space management concerns to be addressed prior to completion of the center.
Construction Impacts
- Q: How will access to all areas (especially for handicapped) be maintained during the various phases of construction?
- A: An access and egress plan will be presented and approved by the Parish Center Committee and Church staff prior to construction.
Equipment
- Q: Several questions centered around specific equipment needs: computers, photocopier, kitchen equipment, pay phone, vending machines, bike racks, water fountains, storage lockers and bulletin boards.
- A: In this preliminary stage, equipment needs have not been addressed. These comments and questions will be kept for future discussion by the Parish Center Committee along with future users of the center.
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK!
